Last Thursday, April 7th, marked the opening of Loflin Yard, an innovative new space in downtown's burgeoning South End district. Set amid condos and apartments, the Yard is an open space with rustic out-buildings, and is split by Gayoso Bayou.

The venture is the brainchild of Andy Cates, Michael Tauer, Taylor Berger, Doug Carpenter, and Brad Barnett, who were involved in the highly successful, but temporary, Tennessee Brewery operation the past couple of springs.

Carpenter told the Memphis Flyer's Lesley Young, “There is nothing else like this in town.” And it's easy to believe him.

There are several places for customers to sit and relax, including indoor dining in the Safe House, deck dining near a waterfall, or patrons can relax in Adirondack chairs on the lawn and watch the sunset.

"Everyone we've brought through here has been completely mesmerized. Where else can you go and hear the waterfall and smell the smoker? We look for it to be pretty exciting, and it's definitely a long-term venture," Carpenter says.

Loflin Yard is located at 7 W. Carolina. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 4 p.m. to midnight; and Saturday and Sunday, noon to midnight. For more information, visit loflinyard.com, or go to their Facebook page at facebook.com/loflinyard.